Natural Sciences

Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant

Overview

The American Academy of Physician Assistants describes a PA as a
healthcare professional who is trained and licensed to practice
medicine under the supervision of a physician. A Physician
Assistant (PA) license allows one to perform any medical or
surgical duties delegated by a physician. This can involve working
as part of a team in the big hospitals, or being the only medical
care provider in smaller, remote, and inner city clinics.

PA duties include preventing, maintaining, and treating human
illness and injury. They provide a range of health care services
traditionally performed by physicians. PAs routinely conduct
physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, and order and
interpret tests. They may also counsel on preventive health care,
assist in surgery, give medical orders, and write
prescriptions.

Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant program

The Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant (Pre-PA) program is a 4-year
undergraduate degree program in Biology, with an option to apply
and interview for the Mount's Master of Science in Physician
Assistant Studies program (pending Accreditation-Provisional).
While admission to the master’s program is not guaranteed, students
applying from the undergraduate Pre-PA program will be shown
preference.

About the Master of Science in Physician Assistant
Studies (pending Accreditation-Provisional)
Mount Saint Mary College has applied for Accreditation -
Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education
for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The program at Mount Saint
Mary College anticipates matriculating its first class in August
2016, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the
September 2015 ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation - Provisional is an
accreditation status granted when the plans and resource
allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program
that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the
program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards, or when a program
holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate
continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares
for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

Student Options

If the Mount's master’s program in PA Studies (pending
Accreditation-Provisional) is not accredited, or if students choose
not to apply for the program, they can still complete the
bachelor's degree in Biology, and apply to a graduate PA Studies
program of their choice.

Program Requirements

The Biology/Pre-PA program at Mount Saint Mary College seeks to
admit highly qualified and motivated students. Acceptance into the
program is competitive, and enrolled students must meet prescribed
standards to continue in the program.

Students in the Biology/Pre-PA program must:

Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.2 by the end of the first academic
year

Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.4 overall, and in prescribed science
and math courses, by the end of the second year

Achieve a minimum grade of B- in all science courses

Compile a minimum of 200 documentable hours in healthcare
settings

Achieve certification in Cardio-Pulmonary Respiratory and BLS
before their sophomore year.

Students that complete the Biology/Pre-PA program are invited to
apply to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
program (pending Accreditation-Provisional).

Opportunities for Student Involvement

Beta-Beta-Beta (Tri-Beta) is the biological sciences honor
society on campus. The Lambda Theta Chapter was the first Mount
honor society, established in 1975. Active membership is open to
Biology majors who have completed the first semester of their
sophomore year and attained a cumulative average of 3.0 or greater
in all courses in Biology. Associate membership is open to all
students interested in the life sciences; students may join as
freshmen.

There is a one-time fee for this honor, which makes one a
permanent member of Tri-Beta and includes an honor cord to be worn
at graduation. The society is one of many similar chapters at
colleges and universities throughout the country. It strives to
stimulate scholarship, disseminate scientific information, promote
biological research, and provide camaraderie. Members participate
in field trips, lectures, and a variety of activities throughout
the year.

Alpha Chi is a national college honor society for full-time
juniors and seniors of all disciplines. To be eligible, a student
must rank in the highest 10% of the class.

Research

Students may carry out an independent research project under the
supervision of a member of the faculty. Students are also
encouraged to apply for admission to summer research programs at
the Mount (Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, SURE), or to
other colleges and universities throughout the country.

In addition, the Career Center offers students information about
co-op/internship opportunities for research experiences during the
semester and the summer. This office assists students with resume
development, interviewing skills, and completion of applications
for various research programs.

Career Outlook

The 2008-2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts almost a 40
percent increase in employment for PAs in the next decade. New York
State is second only to the state of California in the number of
PAs statewide, and the NY Metro area has the highest concentration
of PAs nationally. Advisors from the medical community agree that
there will be increasing local and regional need and career
opportunities for PAs.